Self Taught or Classes?

**quiltergirl** · 08-01-2007, 03:44 PM

How did you learn to quilt? I started about 20 years ago and have never taken a class -- am totally self taught. I did already have a strong sewing background though. I think quilters who were seamstresses first do things differently. So how did you learn to quilt?

**Brat** · 08-02-2007, 10:55 AM

quilting by hand was shown to me by my grandmother...machine quilting was from books...like you i was a sewer first and yes we do seem to look at things different because of the rules of the old school...lol

**Jaded** · 08-02-2007, 11:17 AM

I used to quilt by hand, taught to me by my grandmother. I've never done machine quilting, and haven't quilted by hand in quite awhile. I loved hand quilting, though. Very relaxing, and took me back to a simpler time.

**quiltergirl** · 08-02-2007, 11:33 AM

I use a wider seam -- somewhere between the traditional 1/4 inch of quilting and the 5/8 inch of sewing. It really doesn't matter as long as you are consistent. Another thing I take from sewing is that I do not follow the "cotton rule." There are just too many wonderful fabrics out there to limit myself to just 100% cotton. I also love to use sewing techniques for embellishment -- couching, pin tucks, etc. Another thing I like to do is make a sample when trying out a new technique -- that comes from the notebooks you have to make when you take a sewing class. I don't put my samples in a notebook anymore, but I do try something small to see if I want to commit to something before starting a big project. I've done things like fabric postcards, small 8 1/2 x 11 (journal quilt size) quilts, purses, potholders, jewlery, etc. to try out new techniques.

**nuisance26** · 08-02-2007, 12:02 PM

~I learned patchwork and piecing from books but I learned handquilting from a wonderful quilting group at a church I used to attend. After our monthly morning tea and Bible study group Sue would invite everyone over to her house for a potluck lunch and to quilt. I'd love to belong to a casual group like that again. It's a really peaceful feeling to have soulfood in your tummy, friends all around and a a needle in your hand. I've also machine quilted a few small things and they've turned out alright. It's currently not peaceful to have a needle in my hand at home because my toddlers torment me by climbing all over me and trying to steal my pojects right out of my hands. Ornery brats! I have less than 10 finished projects in the 12 years I've been a quilter. Guess I'm still a beginner.~